Stage//…Error... Error... error...
Time Stamp: 09:00 August 1, 2552
Location: Unknown
Data Log/CPOMZ/b4287/Project-Siren/Regeneration-004
Subject Status: Chief Petty Officer Kim Peters-- D.O.A.
Regeneration 1: Complete
Regeneration 2: Complete
Regeneration 3: Failed
Regeneration 3.2: Complete
Regeneration 4: In process…Host mind required for final Implementation of Virus AI.
Codename: Siren
Voice Recording:
"Kim, you're awake. How do you feel?
"Good. I know you're finding it difficult to talk, but you're doing fine. I am able to hear you, despite the fact that you can not hear yourself. A lot has happened in the past few hours. I patched your wounds as best I could but...
"Whispering? Sorry, I can't talk too loud, I am not supposed to be talking to you at all. If the Colonel knew I was here, well, it wouldn't be good.
"Don't worry about me. Now be quiet and listen. According to all existing data and records, you have been classified as Dead On Arrival. But Ackerson wanted to use you, your strategic mind for research. I'm sorry I had to do this Kim, but I gave you something that will help you maintain your own individuality.
"You're dieing, Kim. I can't help you. But I couldn't let you die without saying goodbye. Melanie and the others think you died on Troy, but we were able to keep you alive in hibernation. Now that they have your mental scans, it's only a matter of time before you leave us. I had to wake you, to ask you if you wanted… if you wanted me to pass your memories on to your AI.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. But this way you can watch after Melanie and the others… they are still your squad.
"Your name? Siren, it was fitting for a woman with such beauty as yourself.
"Good. I was hoping you would say yes. Just a moment… there. I'm copying your short term memories.
"Siren."
"Yes Doctor."
"Upload this streaming file into your Core, and secure it. Kim, I'll need a code for Siren to use in order to activate the file; something that will only be triggered by Melanie or Eric."
"Doctor, there is a lot of activity in the hall; a nurse, three MP's and Major Rawlings are coming."
"Kim, stay with me. I need something… anything that will activate your memories."
"Access word recorded, doctor. When Eric Raynord speaks the word I will execute the memory file."
"Doctor Smith! You are under arrest."
"What were you in here doing?"
"My patient is still alive. I was trying to make sure she was as comfortable as possible."
"Is that why she has a neural scanner attached to her head?"
"Major, if you'll let me explain…"
"Major, she's still alive."
"Get the doctor out of here. Take her to Colonel Ackerson's shuttle, let him deal with her.
"Kim Peters. I'm sorry it has to end this way. But you are of no use to me in this condition. Nurse, shut down life support, and remove the neural scanner." /i
End Voice Recording
- - - - - - - -
Stage 22: Offense… Tick. Tick. Boom!
ONI Stealth Cruiser: Rogue Fantasy
09:12 October 26, 2552
Dorenth Orbit
"… Shut down!" Monroe strongly ordered Siren. Grief filled the AI as her emotional subroutines swelled within her. She wanted to save Eric and Melanie. She couldn't stand being stuck on the ship while her younger sister and Eric were in danger. Her emotional desire to be with them had overtaken the ship and without actually thinking it, she had turned the ship toward the planet. Had Melanie not voiced that she was okay, Siren would have unwillingly crashed the ship; she would have killed the crew and herself. Now, because of her emotional failure, she had lost the captain's trust and the ability to help with the mission.
"Yes… captain." Her words whimpered from her lips as she powered down her holo-tank and began to vanish into nothingness. A pain swelled within her core of programming, an odd yet familiar sensation; sadness. Her data analyzed the sensation and her programming swelled to record the new sensation. The 'sadness' data was recorded and stored within her programming subroutines. A visual representation was generated in the form of data that could flow down her digital face; a tear.
-09:41:12 October 26, 2552: Siren awoke to nothingness. Her mind was still processing as if nothing had happened. Had she shut down? If she had, then why was she online again? She searched her system clock and found that no time had passed. She had not shut down, merely logged off, as if placed into stasis. Why? Was she malfunctioning so badly that she could not shut down her own core? A thousand possibilities filled her processors. She checked her logs. She scanned her I/O functions and scheduled backups. An error report was recorded. What Error?
-Error 09:13:01 October 26, 2552: Event Error Log Shut Down function terminated at source Protocol 011xrt441 Mission Override Code not received Status Shut Down command given by Captain Megan Monroe can not proceed. Captain Megan Monroe not authorized to terminate functions. Execute 'BlackOpsViralOverride'
-09:41:13 October 26, 2552: "What the hell is that?" Siren questioned within herself. She scanned her data modules, scanning thousands of executable files in mere milliseconds. It was hidden, but it was there, locked away so that she would never find it. She scanned the file forcing herself to uncover the reasoning behind the unusual string of code.
-09:41:14 October 26, 2552: 'BlackOpsViralOverride; In the event of sudden command order to shut down without Mission Override Code, activate copy program within Host System Core with tunnel crack program. If hostile forces detected on Host System Core, eliminate. If friendly forces detected, begin system lock down and complete mission objective.
-09:41:15 October 26, 2552: "No." Siren grumbled. She had created a backup of herself in order to complete the mission, but the backup was not the result of her emotional subroutines. She was a Virus type AI, designed to infiltrate and take control of covenant systems and ships, but her design was now taking advantage of the Rogue Fantasy's systems. Whenever she uploaded herself into a new core her basic functions would automatically save a copy of herself for safety. Where was she? Siren scanned the local memory core for access terminals and a row of data glowed in front of her. "The Mechanical bay." She was well beyond the ships mainframe system core, but from here she could reintroduce herself to the Rogue Fantasy's systems. Within the blink of an eye, Siren was once again inside the Rogue Fantasy's primary systems core. She had full access to everything, except her own mainframe system core; the main line was physically pulled out.
She wanted to tell the captain she was still in the system, but the captain would only repeat her actions. No, she had to take other measures. The mission and the safety of the crew was her only objective at this point.
-09:41:22 October 26, 2552: "Rogue Fantasy, this is 05. The seed is launching, deliver the package! I repeat; deliver the package!" The transmission was clear and she didn't have a moment to spare. Siren flooded her systems into the Rogue Fantasy's pelican bay. She activated the camera system and watched as several Marines gathered around the NOVA. It was stationed over a drop bay. They were going to physically drop the NOVA into the target zone. It was too risky of a plan, and the chances of failure were too high. She scanned the ships hull for atmospheric readings. Wind sheer was strong, pressure was relative, but Siren could see that the NOVA would be blown off course before it detonated. A controlled drop was the only means of perfectly fulfilling the mission. The mission was her goal, only the mission. Mel and Eric had to be protected. They had to be given the best chances for survival. She activated the nearest pelican and primed its engines.
-09:42:04 October 26, 2552: "Message confirmed, 05! Juggernaut… set timer for two minutes and deploy!" Siren had to stop them. She powered on the pelicans systems and spun the ship on its axis. A wash of heated air flooded the pelican bay as she watched Juggernaut began to yell into his communicator. She had to jam the transmission.
-09:43:09 October 26, 2552: "Captain, it's Siren! She's in my pelican and flying it! I don't see anyone in the pilot's seat so I assume it's her! What's going on, Captain? Captain!" Juggernaut quizzically gazed at the massive pelican as it hovered towards him. He stepped back and bumped into the NOVA. For a moment he panicked, but regained his senses knowing that it wouldn't blow up that easily. The other marines on the landing deck gazed at he bird without blinking; speechless.
The com burst to life, "Juggernaut, if you drop that bomb we may loose everyone we left on the surface. This must be done precisely. Load the NOVA into the Pelican and I'll deliver it, once the Pelican is off the ship, radio the captain and tell her to get the ship out of here."
"I thought the captain said that you were…"
"No time, Juggernaut! Every second is crucial!"
Juggernaut shook his head in doubt but there wasn't any more time, "Marines load the pelican!" Siren spun the bird and lowered the ramp, exposing the empty belly of the Pelican. While the marines hauled the massive NOVA up the ramp, Siren began to recalculate the NOVA's drop point accordingly. She then created a generic program to pilot the pelican and activate the NOVA. Once the program was complete she downloaded herself back into the Rogue Fantasy's mainframe.
"It's ready, Siren!" Juggernaut shouted. The pelican spun and hovered over the drop bay door.
"Clear the drop bay." Siren shouted to the marines. Everyone scattered as the drop door alarms began to roar across the deck. A constant whirring of yellow flashing lights filled the room as the safety locks discharged. The bay door beneath the pelican began to slide open and the outer hull door also parted, revealing thin green clouds and rolling hills beneath. A deep canyon emerged and the pelican powered down its engines; forcing a free fall.
-09:45:58 October 26, 2552: The pelican dropped through the sky and the wind howled around its hull. The wings of the bird adjusted to keep the pelican stable and the nose pointed toward the ground. Speed was critical, time was short. The engines fired and the pelican reared forward, accelerating at break neck speed. No human pilot could handle the speed of this descent, the G-forces were exceeding well beyond normal human blackout ranges. Ahead of the pelican was a deep canyon wall, stretching as far as the eye could see, but Siren's target was the deepest region within. She dared not to slow down, and fought against rough cross winds that shook the pelican off course on numerous occasions. Siren constantly realigned the pelican, bringing it back on target and in the back of her mind was the NOVA. At any moment she would have to detonate the explosive arsenal, effectively killing a world and her copy, but she did not fear death; only the safety of her crew and loved ones.
Deeper into the canyon the pelican plummeted, until she was within the crust of the world. Siren waited for the moment of impact and the moment seemed to last forever. The nose of the pelican slammed into the shallow riverbed below, crumbling upward into the cockpit. Sparks ignited within the onboard systems and fires began to pour over the hull. Siren rushed through the system and took over the NOVA as it jarred loose from the straps inside the pelican bay. Gravity pulled it downward, toward the pelican's primary bulkhead, but even the bulkhead was beginning to bulge from the impact. Time seemed to slow down compared to Siren's processing speed. The NOVA hummed loudly and light began to form within its fusion cores, numerous particles began to collide, and each reaction generated enough power to expand outward at an alarming rate.
The nuclear elements were split and released their energy; forcing a critical mass. The explosion was small at first, but the power intensified as it drew in more mass; continuing to feed its thermal expansion. The sky flashed and heat propelled outward scorching the ground around it. The pelican vanished from existence, its matter broken down into basic components. The cores of the NOVA collapsed even further sending out yet another roar of power. The ground crumbled and expanded, sending a shockwave across the world. Earthquakes rippled as the tectonic plates collided within themselves, forcing the outer crust to tear itself apart.
The area around Jogrennilee began to rumble as the wave of heat and radiation swept across the surface. The flood creature did not have time to protest or retreat as it was flash dried into a ball of dust. It crumbled upon itself as the shockwave from the explosion blew its ashes into a fatal wind.
The sky quickly began to boil as the atmosphere vanished into the void of space. Gravity shifted, increasing and decreasing in a wave of rumbles. But this was only the first stage of the NOVA. Deeper into the crust it sank, the NOVA melted its nuclear charge into the planet's core with super conducted heat. The various cores of the NOVA were exploding upon themselves on an unstoppable cycle of destruction. No longer contained within the core of a metal husk, the NOVA created a chain reaction that collapsed and expanded upon itself ten times, as each of its nuclear payloads continued to expand.
- - - - - - - -
The Rogue Fantasy climbed into the sky. Its thruster at full burn as the explosion intensified behind. The crew was silent, but the ship roared with disapproval as her hull moaned against the outer forces that begged to pull the ship back to the planet. The surface of Dorenth was now aglow with red and white as magma ringed outward away from ground zero. Clouds of dust climbed into the sky but were quickly evaporated as heat and radiation swelled outward.
The outer hull of the Rogue Fantasy began to become super heated as they climbed into the atmosphere. The engine core was being pushed to one hundred and ten percent as they fought the planets gravity well, which was collapsing around them. Alarms whistled over the vibration throughout the bridge, but no one spoke as all eyes faced forward; forward into the blackness of space, hopeful that they would make it.
Behind them was a dieing world, being devoured by science at the hands of man. One last rumble swept over the ship as everything became deathly silent. Heavy breathing suddenly echoed across the bridge as everyone began to breathe, as if they had all being holding their breaths for the past two minutes.
"Report." Monroe ordered as she regained herself. It took several moments for the command crew to recognize the order and they all snapped to.
"Outer hull cooling, ship integrity is holding."
"Engine core is redlined."
"We're at a safe distance. Reduce engine power to forty percent and rendezvous with the elite fleet." Captain Monroe pressed a series of buttons on her arm rest and the rear view screen flashed before her eyes.
Words could not describe what they were seeing. Once again the crew fell silent as all eyes watched the destruction of the elite home world. A volcanic eruption spat magma into space at the location where the pelican had first laid her deadly cargo. From that center the wave of destruction spread across the surface. Volcanoes that were once dormant became angrily active and spewed ash and magma miles into the air. With the atmosphere gone, the magma spewed into space in large solar arcs, only to be pulled back near the equator. It was beautifully horrific, but it had to be done.
One of the command crew reported, "Ma'am. There is no visual confirmation of the Seed Ship."
"Wait! What in the …" The helmsman pointed to the screen as a large mass of molten rock began to pull itself away from the planet. The screen quickly zoomed in and the realization of what they were seeing unfolded in their minds.
Magma parted and exploded upward as a domed shaped mass tore from the planet's surface. Slowly it rose, dragging molten rocks behind it. The ship slowly freed itself from its grave to once again soar amongst the stars. The Seed ship's outer hull was scarred from the intense heat of the molten rocks, but the destructive power was not enough to keep it from escaping into space. The dome shape soon elongated and continued to expand until a small ball of light escaped the massive crater beneath. The ball of light intensified as the ship breached outward into space and everyone could finally see the ships size.
From a distance the ship appeared as a diamond in the sky, but upon closer inspection there was a distinct difference. The ship was pyramid shaped on the top and bottom, with several hundred outcroppings along its equator. It slowly rolled over to reveal that the top of the ship was the pillar of light. Its size dwarfed the city of High Charity, and as the hull cooled, the rocks began to break away. The ring of the equator appeared to be docking bays large enough for ships as big as Covenant Flagships. The ball of light, which at one point shined brightly within the Inner Sanctum, was now being swallowed within the top of the upper pyramid structure of the seed ship.
"It is sixteen kilometers wide and fourteen kilometers dense!" Reported one of the crewmen.
"Why was it upside down?"
"Jesus, you could fit a world's population in there!"
"I think that's what they did."
Monroe gazed at the screen and then at the dieing elite world behind it. The seed ship slowly maneuvered away from the planet as it glowed red hot, boiling from the super heated nuclear furnace within its core.
Monroe sighed, "It will continue like this until the fusion reaction dies, and all that will be left is a rock; uninhabitable and unusable." Everyone again returned their eyes to look upon the dead world, speechless.
- - - - - - - -
Captain Timnaldee and the crew of the Knight and Piercing arrow gazed at the raw power and destructive force that the human weapon had created. The home that few of them had seen in many years was gone in less then an hour; glowing hot red and boiling with molten rivers. No longer was their world the lush and green metropolis of his ancestors, and it filled him with grief.
"Move the fleet in orbit of the Seed ship." Timnaldee ordered. His one command was heard throughout the seventy six ships that remained of the elite armada. Despite the loss of their home to the flood, the Sangheili race would survive and he was determined to see it happen.
"Sir, high elder Vornaldea is sending an encrypted communication. He's using a frequency I have never seen."
"Odd that he would use this frequency." Timnaldee thought aloud. He approached the control panel atop his command platform and entered a set of commands. The screen on his display flashed and he frowned harshly; perplexed at the order he was given, orders he didn't understand. "Helm, bring us about and put us on an intercept course with the human ship, immediately. Contact the Redeeming Flame and tell them to follow us and flank the human ship. Raise shields and charge plasma canons."
"Sir, are we to engage the humans?"
"I am not sure. But the high elder has made it clear that the humans are to be detained."
- - - - - - - - -
"Detained?" Captain Monroe shouted as Ship Master Timnaldee stared at her through the video screen.
"Yes captain." Timnaldee replied sternly and with a steel face. "The high elder wants your ship to be escorted back to the Seed Ship and docked on the outer ring. Your crew will then be watched closely while you and I report to the Sacred Hall."
"Ma'am, the elite flagship and a battle cruiser are pulling up to our lines. They have us flanked on both sides."
"If it wasn't for us…" Monroe was about to unleash all her frustration upon the elite captain, but quickly regained her focus. Peace was hard to form, but hatred was even harder to forget. The humans and the elites have had a long and tough history and there was little that could be done to solve thirty years of conflict in only a few days. "Forgive my out burst. We'll follow you in."
Timnaldee nodded, "Please understand, captain, we will honor the alliance formed by the Arbiter. You will be in no danger so long as you cooperate."
- - - - - - - - -
The Rogue Fantasy was gripped by a large metal clamp which reached out with a claw like grip. Once it secured itself on the Rogue Fantasy's hull, it slowly pulled the ship within its expansive hull. The command crew marveled at the size of the Seed ship and began to notice the activity happening around them. Hundreds of phantoms were traversing the ship's docking equatorial line, where the two pyramid bases connected. They were loading and unloading supplies from ships and bringing them aboard the Seed. Several elite battle ships and cruiser were also docking for repairs.
"Captain, is it me or do the elites seem to know how this ship works?" The helmsman gasped.
"Your right. Those ships are already starting repair work, as if it were routine. I thought they didn't know anything about this ship?"
"I think they know a little more then they're telling us." The helmsman replied.
Through the silence of her virtual world, Siren quizzically gazed at the ships in orbit around the station. She wanted to talk to the captain and share her thoughts, but she couldn't reveal herself to the captain; not yet. The captain would be furious if she knew she was still lurking in the system. Siren turned her attention back to the command deck and watched as Juggernaut ran onto the bridge.
"It's about time you got here. Your last communication was suddenly terminated. You said something about Siren. What happened down there?" Captain Monroe questioned.
"She took over and she's jamming the com channels." Juggernaut panted.
"We shut her down. How can she still be running through the ship?"
"I didn't have a chance to tell you what happened. But Siren took over my pelican and demanded that I load the NOVA inside. She delivered the package."
The command crew quickly began to check the ships systems, "Captain, I still have full control of the ship. Engines and other controls are fine."
"All modules and mainframe cores are stable."
Monroe looked at the holo-tank softly, "If she is in the system, she's being quite about it. But how did she exit her core?"
"Captain, the AI core is dead. She shut down just like you ordered."
"Then it must be something else." Captain Monroe returned her gaze to the massive door along the Seep ships docking ring and refocused her attention. "As long as she's quiet, we will worry about it later."
"But Captain, there's no telling what she might do." The helmsman rebuked.
Monroe sighed, "And until she does something, we have no way to find her."
- - - - - - - - -
The gangplank extended and three elite warriors stood at attention as Ship Master Timnaldee stepped forward. He crossed the threshold from his flagship and nodded approvingly to the three warriors. The elites turned and lead Timnaldee through the corridor. The hallway before him was no different then any other ship he had boarded of Covenant design, yet it felt surreal.
"Sir, we are to meet the human captain and report to the Sacred Hall." The lead elite muttered over his shoulder.
Timnaldee agreed with a simple head bob, and continued to follow the three warriors into the long hallway, "How are the young and females adjusting?"
"The females have begun to seek shelter within the ancient city, and are claiming burrows of their own. The young warriors are eager to become Watchmen, but the High Elder has ordered them to wait. It will be many cycles before any of them are ready to take hold of a blade."
"Yes. Last seasons mating call was small. The new males are still too young at this point. Where is the Ancient city?"
"Safe. It is in the heart of this ship and it is vast, there is plenty of room for everyone. It is nearly twice the size of the Inner Sanctum. This ship could be called a tiny world."
The group turned a corner and before them stood an elite in blue armor with four grunts, and behind them stood Captain Monroe. She stood with her arms folded in dispute, and although she was clearly angry, she held her peace.
"Captain, have you been treated well?" Timnaldee nodded softly as he gazed down at the tiny human female before him.
"Physically, yes. But must I be held at gun point?" Timnaldee motioned for the elite to lower his weapon and he quickly motioned for Monroe to follow the three elites in his company.
"I am as confused as you are, captain. This decision was rather… sudden."
"I assume there's been some form of trouble." Monroe added as the group entered into another door. The room before them expanded outward into a massive chamber. The ceiling vaulted upward as a row of glowing crystals along the ceiling illuminated the room. Before her eyes were several rows of elite battle cruisers undergoing repair work. "Wow."
"Indeed." Timnaldee replied. "These ships received severe damage against the parasite controlled ships. I ordered them to begin repairs, but I was not aware that such a room existed."
Monroe gazed outward in blind awe, "What is this ship? It can carry a world's population, hundreds of ships can dock on its ring, and it has its own repair bay."
"It is very similar to High Charity, but on a much larger scale." Timnaldee returned. A phantom descended from the distance and docked at the edge of a nearby walkway.
The elite guide stepped forward, "This phantom will take us to the central gravity lift. Then we will traverse to the Sacred Hall."
"How many decks must we climb?" Timnaldee questioned as he stepped into the gravity lift beneath the phantom.
"It is sixty decks to the Sacred Hall."
- - - - - - - -
"I'm not going to lie to you, he's really messed up." The medic grimly frowned to Melanie and the rest of the black ops. "He has a collapsed lung, four broken ribs, a broken shoulder, plasma burns across his abdomen and it looks like he fractured his femur several days ago, but ignored it. Quite frankly, I can't believe he's still alive."
Melanie stepped closer to the medic, "He is alive, so you better make sure he stays that way. What about 13?"
"The girl? She's alright, but still unconscious. The spores that attacked her nervous system are dieing, she should wake up in a few moments. She'll have a headache but she'll be fine." The black ops exhaled. They escaped a close one this time, and everyone made it out alive.
"19 is coming out of surgery but he'll need at least a few hours of rest. Thankfully we had flash tank on hand. His new lung is working perfectly. I need to check the other marines." The medic walked away from the black ops and began talking with the less injured marines that outlined the room.
The black ops each found a spot against the wall and relaxed. Justin struggled to fight the sleep which was beginning to overwhelm him, while Mathew and Roy checked weapons and ammo. The black ops didn't want to be caught off guard if anything happened.
The medics made their rounds around the room, helping the more seriously wounded soldiers in a make shift ER. But mostly all the marines and ODST made it through the battle unscathed. The door to the room opened and Rose stormed in frantically. She scanned the room and ran toward Melanie, exhausted.
"Where's Eric? I need to talk to him."
Melanie looked to the closed curtains at the back of the room "He just came out of surgery. Wounded, but he'll be fine. What do you need?"
"Wounded?" Rose began to motion toward the curtains, but before she could take a step Melanie gripped her by the arm and held her at bay. Rose struggled to pull away, but Melanie's vise grip wouldn't waiver no matter how hard she pulled.
"He'll be fine. Just tell me what's wrong."
"I want to check on Eric."
"Listen Warrant, once he's mobile and dealt with the next phase of this mission, I'm sure he'll get in touch with you." Melanie sternly gazed into Rose's eyes. "The sergeant isn't in the mood to deal with you right now."
Rose sensed the ill contempt of her words, "I'm really tired of you talking down to me as if I'm not good enough for him." Rose snarled through her gritted teeth. Melanie frowned strongly and pulled Rose out of the room with little effort. Rose struggled but found it impossible to escape Melanie's grip. Melanie pushed Rose into the hall and she nearly tripped over a grunt. She caught her balance and looked up as Melanie stormed out of the room toward her. The door closed behind them and Melanie gripped a handful of Rose' collar; pressing her against the wall.
"Rose, I'm going to make myself clear. When you address me, you say Sir or Ma'am. Eric may tolerate your lack of protocol, but I won't. I also won't let you screw around with his head anymore. I remember your encounter with him the last time he was injured, after fighting Gridolee. Wasn't that a good enough fix for you? Leave him alone." Melanie gave Rose a firm nudge and backed away.
"I…"
"What?" Melanie barked. "I can barely hear you, so I guess you have nothing to say, or it isn't relative. Perhaps you should try again after you've clearly thought about what you need to say. Or if you should say it at all." Melanie turned and began to walk away as Rose sulked against the wall. "You don't belong here, Rose. Not amongst us soldiers and especially not with the black ops."
The door to the medical wing parted and Melanie vanished inside to rejoin the black ops. Rose was silent and folded her arms. She felt the desire to cry, hurt and denied access to the one person that would give her solice, but crying was pointless. She lifted her eyes and saw that the tiny grunt she had tripped over was still standing there and he had watched the whole thing. Rose cracked a smile at the little creature and the grunt sniffed at the air.
"Other human not like you?" The grunt's high pitched voice sounded through his methane mask.
Rose gazed at the tiny creature and sighed, "A lot of women don't like me. I'm used to it." Rose stood from the wall and began to wonder aimlessly throughout the hundreds of passageways aboard the Seed Installation.
The lone grunt watched as the human walked away, alone. Grunts weren't accustomed to being alone, they were born and raised in packs, and this human was sad and alone. The ship was large and it would be easy to get lost amongst its various corridors and hallways. He quietly followed her as she walked deeper and deeper into the ship. No other humans were around to accompany her and he didn't want to see the human without a pack.
- - - - - - - -
Captain Monroe stepped into the Sacred Hall and marveled at the sight. The domed shaped room was filled with activity and well guarded by twenty honor guards. Each level of the Sacred Hall was bustling with elders, talking and reading data terminals while several high ranking elite ship masters also stood in their midst. Several video screens floated majestically as High Elder Vornaldea spoke to them each, giving orders and listening to reports.
Despite the countless elites, Captain Monroe was once again awestruck of the beauty of the Sacred Hall. It was highly decorated with various clusters of instrument panels that seemed to feed the architectural design. She smiled at the beautiful silk drapes that hung from the high rafters and the illuminating glow from the walls.
"Yes, I am aware that we should aid the Arbiter at the human world, but there is much that must be done before…" Vornaldea gazed at the human captain beneath him and motioned for the discussion to be stopped. "We will speak more of this soon." The platform lowered to the base of the Sacred Hall and Vornaldea stepped forward and greeted Captain Monroe with a bow. "I am High Elder Vornaldea, head of the elite High Council and third in command of all military forces."
"I'm Captain Megan Monroe of the UNSC ship Rogue Fantasy."
"It is a stealth cruiser, is it not?" Vornaldea questioned.
Taken back for a moment Captain Monroe smirked, "Yes."
Vornaldea stood tall and looked to the elite at Monroe's side, "Timnaldee, it has been some time."
Timnaldee responded with a formal nod, "Yes, high elder. Not since my trials."
"The elders have spoken, and we would like for you to take full command of our Sangheili forces. We have chosen you to be the Supreme Commander of our fleet."
Timnaldee stepped back a moment as shock filled him. His eyes gazed at the numerous elders that stood around the hall and he lowered himself to a knee in respect. The other elders stopped there previous chores and all began to nod in approval of his selection of Supreme Commander.
"Elders, I am but a mere warrior that is unworthy of such a title."
"Your recent victories say otherwise, Timnaldee. The troops that you saved from the surface have vowed their lives to follow your command. The council can only lead the military until a suitable warrior is chosen, and since the Arbiter is not amongst us, we need a Supreme Commander. Will you accept?" Timnaldee's eyes scanned the massive hall, and each elite eye seemed to beg for him to take the reigns and lead their forces. He then found a familiar face standing in a corner, his oldest friend, Lieutenant Simyaldee. Simyaldee grinned and nodded his approval, but Timnaldee knew that if any warrior was worthy to accept such a role it was Simyaldee.
Timnaldee stood and faced the elders, "With much honor, and humility… I accept. I will lead our forces into the battles ahead as we rebuild our lives, and crush the traitors beneath our feet. Our blood oath will be fulfilled." A roar erupted across the Sacred Hall, as elites young and old growled in approval. "High elder, I need to know any plans that have been made regarding the fleet and this ship, as well as the civilians and humans."
"Yes, Supreme Commander." Elder Vornaldea nodded. The other elders quickly began to return to their earlier duties as Vornaldea stepped closer to the new Supreme Commander. "But first we should address the situation with the humans."
The two elites turned to Monroe and looked at her, "The decision to detain the humans was sudden. We are wondering why you made that decision."
Monroe frowned, "Considering that we helped and haven't done anything against your forces; none that I am aware of anyway."
Vornaldea clasped his hands behind his back and looked to Timnaldee, "It was my decision based on the knowledge that the humans have of our world. They came here with full knowledge of this ship, and they came here to take it. I am not at all certain if you humans will still try to complete your goals of taking the ship."
Monroe stood tall and faced Timnaldee and Vornaldea, "I'll admit, that is why we came here, but considering the circumstances, we would never forcefully take the ship. Not now."
Timnaldee voiced his opinion, "The presence of the human ship did alarm me when we first detected them. But they fought valiantly by our side when the parasites attacked. Justly, they may have found it better to side with us then to fight alone, but the Arbiter's words can not be forgotten at this time. An alliance has been formed between us, and if the humans wanted to destroy us…" Timnaldee turned to the view screen overlooking their glowing home planet. Dorenth was still in flames and boiling with oceans of molten rock and active volcanoes. "… they could have done it without warning."
Vornaldea lowered his head in an attempt to not look at what remained of his home, "I agree Commander, but until we have proof that the humans will not attempt to overthrow this ship, I suggest we keep them under constant supervision. Elder Bortello informed me that the honored human forced himself into the Inner Sanctum. He convinced several elites to join him."
Monroe quickly interrupted, "The flood was overwhelming the above ground forces, he watched that creature destroy one of our drop ships in mid flight, and that thing was threatening to break into your precious Inner Sanctum. If it wasn't for his decision, you and your kin would still be down there trying to fight a battle you could not win." Monroe looked around and noticed that several elites were gazing at her strongly. "I'm sorry for my outburst, but I stand by our decision. Had we not acted, you would all be dead."
Vornaldea faced Captain Monroe directly, "What if it had been your home world, human? Would you have been so quick to abandon it?"
"My home was Reach. And you elites destroyed it not too long ago, or have you forgotten?" There was a tinge of animosity in her voice, and Vornaldea did not let it linger in his mind.
"Then perhaps it was your intent to come here in revenge, against your leaders wishes."
"Enough!" Timnaldee roared. "Elder, I have seen the Captain in combat, and we have spoken together aboard my ship. This human female is a strong leader and I acknowledge her honor. Never have I heard her words in anger until now. If she came too seek revenge, then it would have been within her right to do so, but she did not. The weapon could have been used at any moment against us, and we would have had no defense. Elder, we owe the humans greatly. How many of their worlds have burned under our aggression because of blindness?" Timnaldee's words struck a cord in the elder's heart, and Simyaldee chuckled from his corner. He stepped up and approached the group.
"I believe these talks should continue at another time." Simyaldee stated as he bowed to the elder and nodded to his friend, now Supreme Commander. "Your words serve you well, Commander. You have truly changed during these past few days. It is humbling to see you say such words when less then a week ago you saw no place for a grunt sergeant. Now look at you, coming to the aid of a human." Simyaldee grinned as he looked to Captain Monroe. "We all change, Captain; it is because of the mistakes we make in our past, that we understand the need for change. Even within our military forces, these words are true. I believe we should put aside this discussion and let our tempers calm. We have a mutual enemy to interrogate at this moment."
Vornaldea released a heavy breath and turned to the Mirratord Second, "Lieutenant Simyaldee, your words have always been beneficially to the High Council. Today is no exception. Let us venture to the holding cell. Captain Monroe, I must insist on you joining us. I believe you will find it very beneficial."
"Very well." Captain Monroe simply replied.
Timnaldee turned to Simyaldee as the group began to walk toward the holding cell several decks below, "What of the fleet?"
"We have begun repairs on various ships, mostly those that are heavily damaged. This ship is well equipped, and even though it is old, it operates at nearly its full potential. We have brought engineers on board and they have quickly repaired any systems we have overlooked. The humans also have a very skilled worker amongst them. This human female was able to do several repairs before the engineers arrived. Thanks to her we were able to take off without incident."
"And the Watchmen incident? What of my child?"
Simyaldee gazed ahead and dared not look into the eyes of his friend, "We will discuss it in due time."
"Now, lieutenant!" Timnaldee ordered.
Simyaldee did not let his friend waiver his decision, "In due time, Commander!" Simyaldee walked away and followed Vornaldea and the other honor guards into the spiral walkway leading down to the holding cell. Timnaldee stood alone in the hall and came to the realization that he son was either dead, or being held in a prison cell. But the manor in which Simyaldee had rebuked him made him think the worst. His mate was gone, and now his only child. But why, why did he have to lose his young? Timnaldee released a solo roar of pain as his heart swelled in agony. His family was gone.
Simyaldee stopped and lowered his head as his friend cried behind him. He had hoped that they could talk alone, but Timnaldee had easily pieced it together. However, he was still not aware of the full story; that he had killed his friend's son.
The doors to the holding cell opened and in walked three honor guards, followed by elder Vornaldea and a human. Catherine had never seen her before but was pleased to see another human face. She stood from her make shift chair and walked toward the group.
"And you are…"
"Ma'am, Captain Megan Monroe of the Rogue Fantasy."
"Understood."
Kelly quickly stepped forward in her monstrously large armor, "Did everything go according to plan?"
"Yes. Except we had no idea we would become prisoners."
Catherine sighed softly, "Don't let that bother you. It's just a technicality. There are worse things."
Vornaldea then stepped forward, "Doctor, what have you learned from the prisoner?"
"Kelly and I persuaded him to tell us the truth. Quite frankly, I don't know what to make of it. Kelly, bring him out." Kelly walked to the back of the holding cell and powered down an energy shield. She then turned a corner and no one could see what she was doing, but they could clearly hear the plea's of terrified creatures. Kelly rounded the corner and was dragging the small body of a young prophet, Mercy.
"A prophet?" Monroe questioned. "I thought they were bigger then that?"
Catherine folded her arms across her chest and thumbed her chin, "Prophets are more then seven feet tall, head to toe, but this one is young. It appears that they continue to grow even when they are old. Our only knowledge of them is of the Hierarchs, and they are hundreds of years old. No telling how old this one is, but he is just a copy."
Timnaldee and Simyaldee ventured into the room without any words and both released a small growl as they gazed at Mercy sitting on the floor.
"Release me, demon! I have answered your ridiculous questions, now leave me be." Mercy grumbled, but he was then slung to the ground without remorse. "Mindless barbarian. I will see the day you are beheaded for this harsh treatment."
Vornaldea growled toward the quivering creature, "Silence, prophet, or I will not show as much patience as the human."
Catherine stepped toward the wall and pressed her hand against a yellow glowing half circle, "The Keeper of the ship can assist."
"Not that stupid hologram again. They have no belief, nor do they care to understand the need for our abilities." Mercy pleaded, but to his dismay the hologram powered to life and a smaller, more life size version of the Keeper appeared before the group. It wore loose fitting robes, similar to those the prophets wore, but much more elaborate in design. The keeper's sleeves covered strongly toned arms, but the most remarkable image was its face. Small horns lined its human shaped chin with large dark eyes that softly sat within its skull. Its skin was reptile in nature, leathery, with black hair running down the center of its head. The hair stretched to the floor and was nicely braided together. It had pointy ears that stretched outward from its head, and they twisted in any direction to discern the location of what it was listening to. It was a very odd looking creature, with signs of age marking its face.
"Is that a forerunner?" Monroe questioned.
"I am the Keeper of this Seed Installation and modeled in the image of…"
Catherine interrupted the Keepers tirade, "Not entirely. It is complicated."
"Another Reclaimer has joined us. Perhaps you can tell me why the protocols …"
Again Catherine cut in, "No, she can not. As I've explained, we are not in control of this situation. I simply need you to answer some questions. To reveal certain things to those of us that are here."
"Very well, reclaimer. I will answer what I can, just as before. Ah I see that we have left the Installation behind. It was destroyed along with the flood. Destroying the planet is sad, but it was a very affective way in eliminating the flood threat."
"Left the installation?" Monroe questioned.
Catherine walked in front of the group and circled around Mercy as he sat annoyed in the middle of the floor, "Yes. This Seed ship was not the installation, as we thought. The installation was the city beneath it. This ship created that underground sanctuary, and it has done it twelve times on various worlds. The elite Inner Sanctum was Installation 012, the last city built to begin life on a new world."
"Then this seed ship created life?"
Catherine sighed, "Yes. After the firing of the first halo, this ship traveled the galaxy and planted life on various worlds. It stopped at the elite home world. But it did not create human life."
The hologram smirked, "Human life. Yes, species 011 was not grown from this facility. Species 011 were the Reclaimers, and their task were needed elsewhere. They are the protectors of the Ark. The Reclaimers were to bring back the forerunner Empire…"
Catherine again cut off the holograms tirade, "We getting ahead of ourselves. First, who are the forerunners?"
The Keeper simply replied, "The forerunners consisted of Species 001 and 002."
"And we Prophets, were also members." Mercy mumbled.
"No. Species 004, was a member of the higher class and thusly a member of the Empire, but not constituted as Forerunner. You were an elected member of the empire. You were placed in charge of overseeing laws throughout all systems."
Catherine interrupted, "Why did you make Halo?"
All eyes peered at the holographic creature as it spoke, "For the sake of studying and containing the flood species. Their evolutionary growth was fascinating and …"
"What are the flood?" Catherine quickly interrupted.
"The flood are everything." The creature's response was simple, and for the first time everyone wanted the creature to explain.
"Please, tell us what you mean by, the flood are everything. Tell us just as you told me earlier." Catherine walked closer to the hologram and leaned against the wall.
"The flood are an evolution of all combined life throughout the empire, with only a few exceptions. Their DNA is the direct result of a genetic mutation and eventual evolution of all members of the Forerunner Empire."
"I don't understand." Captain Monroe blurted. "Is it saying that… we are the flood?"
The hologram turned to face Captain Monroe, "Yes. Species 011, reclaimers, are also a part of the genetic makeup."
Catherine added, "Basically it is saying is that all the species mixed their DNA, and the flood are the result of the combination. Now tell us why the Empire mixed their DNA."
"A disease began to spread throughout the Empire, effecting various species much faster then others. It was believed that this disease could be cured by creating a super vaccine. However, when the test subjects were treated, they began to act primal, and vicious in nature. Their bodies released spores that would slowly affect healthy individuals."
"This is why you created the Halo Installations?" Catherine questioned.
"Yes, to contain and study this evolutionary process. They are a quite remarkable species. The mutation was much too dangerous to leave on empire controlled worlds. All of the sick were gathered and forced to live on the Installations, where they were watched and studied. We needed to give them a suitable home, and many of them lived there happily, however the mutation's evolution became quite devastating for our research teams. In time we found the need to contain them, else they would have taken over us all."
"Tell us about the war." Everyone curiously looked at Catherine, curious as to what the forerunner hologram would know of the Human-Covenant war. But to their surprise, the war was not what they thought.
"The flood war began and ended with us. For years we struggled to contain the flood on the installations, but they eventually began to spread beyond the rings. We could not allow this. If the flood escaped beyond the ring worlds then they would spread at an alarming rate."
"Who fought these wars?"
"Our army fought the flood. They were led by the most cunning of our empire, Species 011. However, not even they were able to withstand the floods advance. The army consisted of all the lower species within the Empire, including species 004." The hologram looked to Mercy. "Their hatred for the reclaimers was the reason the flood were created."
"We were next to sit amongst the higher species, but you chose the humans. Humans!" Mercy shouted, his voice filled with rage as he looked toward Catherine and Captain Monroe. "If you had not interfered then we would not have had to resort to such drastic measures."
"Silence Prophet!" Vornaldea stated. "I can not stand to hear your excessive whining."
Catherine stepped forward, "It would seem that the prophets became jealous at the praise we humans received from the higher class members of the empire. We were chosen to join the higher class, and the prophets planned our demise. They created a disease that they thought would kill us all, but the disease began to spread to other members of the empire as well."
"That information is not present." The hologram stated.
"Correct, and that is because the forerunners never discovered where the disease came from. When the flood began to gain control of the war, the forerunners were out of options. There was no way to stop the flood from spreading across the galaxy if they escaped. The only remaining option was killing off the floods food. They hoped the flood would starve over time. The humans were chosen to lead the assault on the installations, and fire Halo. The flood took over the rings, but we humans were chosen to take it back. Which is why we were given the task of protecting the Ark until the empire was read to be reformed. We were to reclaim the empire, in a matter of speaking."
"What about that giant flood creature?" Vornaldea stepped to Catherine's side and looked to the Keeper for an answer.
"That information is not present."
Catherine turned to elder Vornaldea, "It doesn't know. I believe that information is stored elsewhere on another installation. Halo Installation 05, but the keeper told us that it was destroyed. The forerunners wanted to keep their information separate so that the flood could not gain control of too much information. From what I've been able to piece together, that creature is an advanced strain of the mutation. There was something different about Domadree's DNA, and I believe it has something to do with the individual bloodline."
Mercy sighed in frustration, "That elite was most likely the descendant of a soldier. These flood creatures as you call them are advanced flood forms."
"He finally speaks something useful." Kelly whispered through her external speaker.
"If you wish for my knowledge, then you will refrain from such useless comments." Mercy gleamed toward Kelly with pure distaste. He then turned his serpentine head back to Catherine, "As I was saying, the creature was the reason we feared the flood. Our soldiers were enhanced by manipulating their bodies, such that they were stronger and faster. They're were breed with these enhancements and passed this strength onto their offspring."
Catherine paced across the room, "You bred super soldiers."
"Yes. They were no different then your demon and the elite Mirratord." Vornaldea grimaced at the notion of Mercy knowing of the Mirratord, but he did not interrupt. "Soldiers breed for war from birth. But the flood overwhelmed them and the flood brain form used their knowledge to create the creature. There was only one, we called it the Gravemind."
"Stop." Captain Monroe suddenly stepped into the conversation, as she walked closer to Mercy. "Something isn't adding up. If you prophets were a part of the forerunner empire, then why didn't you simply take over? Why not go to the halo's and take them over?"
"Species 004 was not given the location of the Halo Installations." The hologram spoke. "It was deemed a risk to inform the weaker species of the location of the Installations, due to the flood's ability to steal knowledge. Secrets must be closely guarded from the flood brain forms."
"Weaker?" Mercy spewed.
"Then this explains why you were searching certain worlds for forerunner artifacts." Monroe walked away from Mercy, happy with what she had just learned.
Catherine responded, "Precisely. For some reason the other races of the Empire chose to forget the plan to rebuild. But I believe Mercy can answer."
"Yes, we retained our memories. We were the best choice to rebuild the Empire and to lead it. But the ruling body made an error in their choice. They kept the knowledge of who would rebuild the empire a secret. Now I know that it was you humans they selected. They always favored you, always sought your guidance. They even selected you to lead their warriors, despite that the elites were clearly the stronger."
"That is not true." The hologram suddenly remarked. "Species 005 was not the strongest. In the matter of which species possessed the most strength, it was clearly Speces 001; the founding race of the Empire."
"Species 001?" Vornaldea questioned to the hologram.
"Yes. The creatures you call…"
Catherine quickly interrupted, "It's not important. What needs to be clarified is the super flood form. If there were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of the soldiers then why was there only one Gravemind?"
"Each of the Graveminds joined together to form one. They felt that there intellect would be increased if they joined they have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and to grow. It also consumed the weaker flood forms, the more useless of them, to expand itself. I do not know what happened to the creature. The human warriors were able to trap it on one of the installations, but again, this was knowledge that was denied to us. Many things were denied to us."
"Considering how you have forcefully infected the galaxy with your forces, I'm glad they did deny you certain information." Catherine smirked. "This also tells me that anyone with a pure warrior bloodline of the Forerunner is a potential threat to become another Gravemind if they are infected by the flood. These warriors will be naturally stronger…"
"The Mirratord." Vornaldea suddenly added. "For several years we have always selected Mirratord warriors based on their lineage, their family bloodline. They have always been the fastest and strongest of our Sangheili race."
Catherine nodded, agreeing to what Vornaldea was saying, "Then I would also assume that the grunts and humans also have this bloodline. Perhaps my Spartans… even before their augmentations they were the strongest and fastest humans we could find. But some of them had other talents, such as luck. This also means that the Black Ops are suspect to the Gravemind infection. The cure should prevent it from happening."
"No." Mercy added with a wicked gleam. "From what I have understood, the infection upon a super soldier is beyond simple contamination. It is genetic memory from within the DNA of the host. The spores will awaken the DNA code." Mercy nearly began to laugh. "Perhaps your silly cure will work on normal hosts, and protect them from flood spore infections, but nothing can stop a Gravemind strand from awakening within a super soldier."
"… oh god." Kelly blurted. All eyes turned to her as she opened a channel to the medical ward. "Medic, what is the status on black op 13?"
"Ma'am, she woke up an hour ago. She walked out after I gave her a clean bill. A bad rash was all she had." The channel closed as Kelly frantically connected with the black ops channel.
"Black Op 13, copy?" There was a long hiss of static as Kelly prayed for an answer, none came. "Black 05, copy?"
"I'm here chief, what can I…"
"Where is 13?"
"She checked out okay, so I gave her some R and R. She's headed to the Ancient City to relax."
"Is she alone?"
"No. 14 is with her. The rest of us are still waiting for 19 to…
"Retrieve black op 13, now! She's infected and considered highly dangerous!"
"Roger… Roger that! We will detain her. But I thought the cure…"
"Move it Private! I will meet you and your team to assist." Kelly closed the channel and turned on her external speaker. "One of the black ops was infected. We brought her back but we thought she would recover."
"The black ops have cloned muscle structure from my Spartans!" Catherine shouted. "She'll slowly begin to mutate."
Mercy lowered his head, "Again, our sins will prove to be our downfall. We are all going to die. The great journey awaits no one."
"Why are the humans wondering freely aboard the ship?" Vornaldea sternly questioned. "I ordered them all to be detained."
Simyaldee nodded, "Yes elder, but at the time the humans had already found themselves in a separate section of the ship. We saw no urgency in detaining them, considering how few of them there are."
The door to the holding cell opened and an elite commander rushed onto the room, "High Elder, we have lost control of our systems. Someone has ordered our fleet to dock with us and the slip space drive is powering up. New coordinates have been entered and we are heading toward the human home world! We can not bypass these settings."
"What is happening?" Vornaldea frantically shouted.
"It is as if our systems are being controlled from the inside."
"Siren?" Monroe questioned. "Her primary mission. Damn it!"
"Is it another construct within the system?" Timnaldee roared in protest.
"We believe so, commander."
"How could it order the fleet to dock?" Vornaldea questioned.
"Forgive me, Elder. I believe our AI has taken over all the ships within your fleet. I assure you I will get to the bottom of this."
Vornaldea roared and glared at Captain Monroe harshly, "You have begun your ploy to take this ship, but you will not succeed! Guards!" The honor guards stepped forward with their energy swords glaring. Kelly ran to Doctor Catherine Halsey's side and stood in front of her. Kelly quickly pulled up her magnum side arm and took aim at the closest elite.
"Is all of this really necessary?" Catherine shouted. "I believe we have bigger issues right now."
Captain Monroe was gripped from behind and pined to the ground by an honor guard, "Elder please! Let me explain!"
"No human, no more lies!"
Commander Timnaldee pleaded, "Elder, the human constructs have proven to be difficult in the past, but their methods have been useful. Perhaps we should let the humans explain why the construct has done this."
"I read your report on the human Construct, Cortana, but I will not let this happen … our young and females are in danger. Or have you forgotten?"
Timnaldee moaned and nodded, "Humans, you will not be harmed if you cooperate. Elder, the captain must come with me. I will need her to tell me what is happening."
Vornaldea calmed his rage as he watched the Spartan lower her weapon. He then glanced at Mercy as he tried to crawl out of the room during the disruption. He leapt upon Mercy's back and pinned him to the floor, growling ferociously at the prophet.
"Very well, commander. Take the captain. Honor guards, imprison the other humans. Simyaldee, take the Mirratord and find the human warrior, destroy it at once."
Kelly, Catherine and Monroe all looked at Vornaldea with a curious gaze as they fathomed the ease of which he stated the words. If 13 was infected then there was nothing that could be done, but to say it with such coldness felt brutal.
Vornaldea looked up at the humans, "A warrior's life is meaningless, but this seep ship carries our future. Our young and females are here. We can not let them be threatened, not now. If this ship is damaged or destroyed… then the Sangheili race will no longer exists. The flood must not spread throughout this ship."
- - - - - - - -
Sammy staggered into the opening as the doors parted. Before her stood the beautifully preserved ancient city, now the home of millions of elite civilians. Soft tall grass lined the hilly soul beneath her bare feet. She gazed upward at the glowing dome ceiling hundreds of meters above. She walked forward dropping her gear as she stepped. Her chest armor clanged on the ground, stained in human blood. Exit wounds lined her chest as she walked, but blood did not spill from her wounds. She stopped and looked back into the door she had just exited. Justin 13's body stained the hallway, torn apart and laying in pieces. She glanced down at her hands, soaked in the blood of her friend. His life taken by muscles she could no longer control.
A tear rolled down Sammy's face from an eye that was strikingly clear. Her skin swelled green as she turned back to face the ancient city before her.
"Why are you in my head? Why are you holding me?" Pained washed across Sammy's body and she crumbled to her knees; her eyes never leaving the site of elite children playing nearby. "Why?" Sammy shouted as her arm exploded in a mass of red and green tentacles. He flesh puffed in a green haze as the tentacles whipped backward and gripped parts of Justin's body and locked on to him, piercing his body and pulling it within her.
"To live, life must be preserved. To feed, we must feed. Death must not happen, we must live, I must live, together we will live. Knowledge to grow. We need others to guard us, others to protect us until we can stop those that would destroy us. You will free us and end those that have craved our destruction. They created us, yet wish us gone. They will not succeed, and we shall be the instrument of their failure."
Sammy sobbed loudly as her eyes swelled with tears. She felt the cooling blood of her friend filling her pores and his flesh merging into her own. Her body began to morph, mutating into something no longer human and she screamed as she felt Justin's skin tear into her own.
"Let me die! God… please, let me die!"
To be continued…